Ansel Adams Gallery
A historic, family-run Yosemite hub known for showcasing Ansel Adams' iconic landscape photography and promoting wilderness conservation.
- Entries
- 8
- On the record
- 0
- Stories
- 1
- Latest entry
- 2014
The record
The Ansel Adams Gallery is a family-run business inside Yosemite National Park and an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service. It began as Best's Studio, which the painter Harry Best opened in Yosemite Valley in 1902, at first seasonally in a tent. The Adams family that runs it today describes itself as Harry Best's descendants, and the gallery now carries the photographer's name.
The buildings have a federal record of their own. Best moved the studio in 1925 from Old Yosemite Village, near the Chapel, to its current site. A 2002 National Park Service assessment recommended major stabilization of the main building, and in spring 2014 the park finalized an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a rehabilitation covering foundations, utilities, accessibility and fire safety.
The gallery entered the news in July 2010, when collector Rick Norsigian claimed that 65 glass negatives he bought for $45 were lost Adams works. Matthew Adams, the photographer's grandson, spoke for the gallery and said he was skeptical. The legal fight that followed was led by the Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust, whose Bill Turnage called the claim an unfortunate fraud, CBS News reported.
Roles and honours on the record
Every entry, newest first
- Reported
Gallery head Matthew Adams said he reviewed the authentications and was skeptical, citing handwriting inconsistencies. $45 negatives: Norsigian agrees not to use Ansel Adams's name
Stories in this file
The record, entry by entry
- 1902 Official Harry Best opened Best's Studio in Yosemite Valley, the business that became the Ansel Adams Gallery. National Park Service, Yosemite, Ansel Adams Gallery Rehabilitation project page
- 1904 Official The original studio building was built in Old Yosemite Village, according to the gallery's own history. The Ansel Adams Gallery, company history page
- 1925 Official Best moved the studio from Old Yosemite Village, near the Chapel, to the site it still occupies. National Park Service, Yosemite, Ansel Adams Gallery Rehabilitation project page
- 1958 Official Ansel Adams began the Yosemite Special Edition Photograph series sold through the gallery, 8x10 silver prints made from his original negatives. The Ansel Adams Gallery, home page
- 2002 Official A National Park Service assessment recommended major stabilization of the gallery's main building and either stabilization or replacement of its residences. National Park Service, Yosemite, Ansel Adams Gallery Rehabilitation project page
- 2010-07-27 Reported When Rick Norsigian's lawyer presented 65 glass negatives as lost Adams works appraised at $200 million, the photographer's grandson Matthew Adams, of the Ansel Adams Gallery, said he was skeptical, CBS News reported. CBS News, Associated Press report
- 2014 Official Yosemite finalized an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for rehabilitating the Best's Studio buildings, covering foundations, insulation, utilities, accessibility and fire and life safety. National Park Service, Yosemite, Ansel Adams Gallery Rehabilitation project page